However, scotching all speculation, a MNS official claimed that it was a mere ‘courtesy visit’ as Ramdev was in Mumbai.

The two, who were together for about half an hour, reportedly discussed their interests – yoga and politics – in their cordial meeting before emerging for smiling photo ops before the waiting media.

“It is great meeting Baba Ramdev. He is the biggest global evangelist of Hindu traditions of Yoga and Ayurveda that India has seen,” Thackeray said, who earlier received the guru with a warm hug at his doorstep.